Reconstruction Study Guide Questions

What is a primary reason for the passage of the 14th amendment in 1868?

A primary reason for the passage of the 14th amendment in 1868 was to provide equal protection to former slaves and to grant citizenship to African Americans.

After the Civil War, what was a significant cause of the conflict between President Andrew Johnson and the Radical Republicans?

A significant cause of the conflict between Johnson and Radical Republicans were that they had different ideas for Reconstruction and Johnson didn't really care if former slaves could vote.

Why were Black Codes established in the South immediately after the Civil War?

Black Codes were established in the South immediately after the Civil War to restrict the rights and freedom of African Americans.

After the Civil War, why did freedmen in the South have difficulty improving their economic condition?

Freedmen in the South had difficulty improving their economic condition because of the system of sharecropping. They barely made any money, just enough food and clothing.

Starting in the 1870s, why were Jim Crow laws enacted in Southern states?

Jim Crow laws were enacted in Southern states because white southerners wanted to restrict the rights of former slaves.

Why were literacy tests and grandfather clauses enacted in the South after the Reconstruction Era?

Literacy tests and grandfather clauses were enacted in the South after the Reconstruction Era to prevent African American men from voting and having a say in the US government.

What did President Abraham Lincoln's plan for Reconstruction after the Civil War include?

President Lincoln's plan for Reconstruction after the Civil War included that it should be short and that the country should be reunited, 10% plan, states must right a new Constitution that abolished slavery, all males no matter race should be included in forming a new government, and former Confederate states were excused when giving their loyalty to the Union.

After 1877, why did racial segregation become widespread in the South?

Racial segregation became widespread in the South after 1877 because of the passing of the Jim Crow laws.

What did Republicans agree to in the Compromise of 1877 that ended Reconstruction?

Republicans agreed to the Confederate states paying war debt, troops stationed to protect freedmen, Union military troops and generals would rule the states, had to ratify the 14th amendment before joining, and right to vote for every men despite race.

Why were Republicans in Congress in disagreement during the early part of Reconstruction?

Republicans in Congress were in disagreement during the early part of Reconstruction they felt that Lincoln's plan was not harsh enough towards the Southern states.

Which form of agriculture was created and became dominant in the South in the decades immediately following the Civil War?

Sharecropping was the form of agriculture that was created and became dominant in the South in the decades immediately following the Civil War.

After the Civil War, why did Southern state legislatures attempt to restrict the rights of formerly enslaved persons and how did they do it?

Southern state legislatures attempted to restrict the rights of formerly enslaved persons because they wanted to restrict the rights and freedom of African Americans. They did this by passing the Black Codes.

What was the Congressional Plan for Reconstruction?

The Congressional Plan for Reconstruction was to provide protection for African Americans, the right to vote for African Americans, public education for everyone, and new governments for the South.

How did the Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) affect African Americans?

The Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson affect African Americans in the way that it continued to allow racial segregation in the Union, proved that Jim Crow laws didn't go against Constitution.

What was a common goal of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the United States Constitution?

The common goal of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments were to grant rights and equal protection to former slaves.

What were the major pieces of legislation passed during Reconstruction?

The major pieces of legislation passed during Reconstruction were the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.

Following Reconstruction, what did the passage of Jim Crow laws in the South limited the effectiveness of?

The passage of Jim Crow laws in the South limited the effectiveness of the 14th and 15th amendments.

Which statement best describes how the status of African Americans in the South changed soon after the end of Reconstruction in 1877?

The statement "worse than slavery" best describes how the status of African Americans in the South changed soon after the end of Reconstruction in 1877.

After the Civil War, why did white Southern landowners use sharecropping?

White Southern landowners used sharecropping because it restricted their rights as citizens and made it harder for them economically wise.